20 Best Holiday Homes in the Cook Islands 🏖️ [2024]

The Best Private Holiday Rentals and Holiday Houses in the Cook Islands

Don’t sacrifice privacy and home comforts just because you’re going on vacation. Find your home in paradise in the Cook Islands! From large family holiday homes on the beaches of Rarotonga to more intimate stays on the sunset coast of Aitutaki, there’s a wide range of private holiday rentals and holiday home complexes to choose from. We’ve whittled it down to the best in value, luxury and locations in this list of the best holiday homes in the Cook Islands.

Before you jump into the list, be sure to open up The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide containing everything you need to know about planning your trip.

1. Moana Oasis Villa

Managed by Rentraro, this huge property is ideal for a couple of families holidaying together on Rarotonga. Moana Oasis Villa features a lavish outdoor pool and a covered barbecue area and is just a short stroll to the beach. The split-level home offers plenty of space, while the high fence encircling the property keeps things nice and private. You have all you need for self-catering (apart from, you know, the food) with a contemporary kitchen with two fridge freezers and sliding doors connecting to the barbecue area. See more awesome self-catering stays in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

Check Moana Oasis Villa out:

Moana Oasis Villa on Booking.com

20 Best Holiday Homes in the Cook Islands 🏖️ [2023]

2. Are Kapakapa

Spacious, airy and secluded, Are Kapakapa offers a delightful holiday home for groups of up to five people in Aitutaki. The location is a little different, out of the way above the old airport runway, but nearby a top mainland snorkelling spot at Base One. The holiday home is one of the best self-catering accommodations on Aitutaki thanks to its modern kitchen (including a dishwasher!), as well as its barbecue area under a covered verandah with roll-down mosquito covers. See more stays like this in the 20 Best Family Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

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3. Te Etu Villas

Boasting two exceptional-value holiday homes on Rarotonga, Te Etu Villas is tucked away on the quiet backroads of Tupapa. These villas each feature a private pool, mountain views and open-plan living between the well-presented lounge, kitchen and dining area that opens up to the pool area. Te Etu Villa 1 has two bedrooms, while Te Etu Villa 2 has three. All in all, Te Etu Villas shows guests that you don’t need to be on the beach to have an enjoyable holiday in Raro.

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4. Mama Taras Bungalows

Try a slice of home-away-from-home paradise on Rarotonga at Mama Taras Bungalows. Set back among the fruit tree gardens in the town of Muri, a small selection of contemporary bungalow holiday homes are available for families or groups of up to four. Alternatively, enjoy an ultra-contemporary stay in the villa for up to six guests with its own private pool. Either way, you have your own space with self-catering facilities and are within short walking distance of Muri Beach and its tours and restaurants.

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5. Paradise Holiday Homes

Either stay in one of the four four-bedroom villas of Paradise Holiday Homes or hire out the whole place for up to 32 people! With mahogany lined exteriors and interior features, you better think “wood is good” at these holiday homes that offer a unique aesthetic on Rarotonga. A highlight is your personal pool area with a Webber barbecue at the ready. There are oodles of space in each villa, while the property is set back away from road traffic yet is only a kilometre from Titikaveka Beach.

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6. Moana Villa Aitutaki

The best choice on Aitutaki for larger groups, Moana Villa Aitutaki sleeps up to six. The hillside three-bedroom villa nestled among tropical forest offers breathtaking views across the island and over the western side of the lagoon – an ideal sunset-viewing position! Cool off in the small outdoor pool on the deck and enjoy meals together thanks to the well-equipped kitchen and covered outdoor dining area.

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7. Aitutaki Ootu Villa

Looking out across the Aitutaki Lagoon and its motu (islands), Aitutaki Ootu Villa offers a fantastic location at Ootu Beach. You have several dining options at your doorstep, as well as the beach with safe swimming and the main departure point for lagoon cruises. The three-bedroom two-bathroom holiday home is perfect for quiet nights in, however, providing a full kitchen and a deck with a barbecue.

Check Aitutaki Ootu Villa out:

Aitutaki Ootu Villa on Expedia

8. Pacific Palms Luxury Villa

This ultra-modern three-bedroom villa in Vaimaanga on Rarotonga is the choice to impress! Pacific Palms Luxury Villa features its own outdoor lap pool, which can be admired from the floor-to-ceiling windows of just about every room of the house. It’s the ultimate space to entertain with an open-plan layout, including a spacious kitchen with a minibar. All you need to do is get supplies from Wigmore’s Superstore, one of the largest supermarkets on the island which is a short stroll down the road. Learn more in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Cook Islands.

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9. Muri Beach Villa

With two of the three bedrooms at this Rarotonga villa having direct access to the beach, you know you’ve found paradise at the Muri Beach Villa. The spacious holiday villa is a good option for three couples travelling together or for large family gatherings where you can enjoy the luxury of a private pool, sundeck with a barbecue, and Muri’s cafe and bar scene just a short walk down the beach. Check out more homes in paradise in the 25 Best Villas in the Cook Islands.

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10. Tavake Villa

Bask in the epic sunset at this waterfront holiday home on the shores of the main town of Aitutaki, Arutanga. Tavake Villa is ideal for couples or young families with its one bedroom and a sofa bed in the living area. The self-catering accommodation is well-appointed and offers ways to keep the costs down on meals. Alternatively, there’s a cafe on-site for an easy cop-out. The main draw is the location, however, where you can enjoy watching the lagoon from your covered deck. The accommodation compares to some of the beach bungalows of Aitutaki which we list in the 10 Best Boutique Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

Check Tavake Villa out:

Tavake Villa on Booking.com

11. GT – Rarotonga Fishing Lodge

Looking for your own space for a large group on Rarotonga? GT – Rarotonga Fishing Lodge might be just the place; a six-bedroom holiday rental for up to 12 guests. The modern lodge features a private pool, homely furnishings, expansive gardens, four bathrooms and an extra toilet, a barbecue area and much more. Just a short drive from Avarua, the lodge is well located for adventures on Rarotonga. See more lodge-style holiday homes in the 10 Best Lodges in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

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12. Maine Villa

In the heart of Muri‘s cafe scene, Maine Villa consists of a two-bedroom villa and a separate studio with simple yet contemporary furniture and fixings. You might not be on the beaches of Rarotonga, but the gorgeous gardens and deck with a barbecue more than make up for the fact. Other thoughtful provisions include a torch/flashlight, first aid kit and snorkelling gear to make use of at the Muri Lagoon just a short walk away.

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13. Nikao Beach Bungalows

Moments away from the conveniences of Avarua and Rarotonga International Airport yet directly on the sands of Nikao Beach, Nikao Beach Bungalows is the ultimate holiday home for a fly-and-flop vacation. The spacious two-bedroom villas are a good go-to for families and groups, including a kitchen and a deck with a barbecue and plenty of places to lounge both inside and on the beach. Take advantage of the free-to-use kayaks and the outdoor shower so you’re not dragging sand into the house!

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14. Casa Del Sol

Two beautiful design-driven holiday homes await on the back road of Vaimaanga at Casa Del Sol. Each home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms connected by a spacious alfresco living area. There’s also a lavish pool shared by the villas among the landscaped gardens. The property is ideal for families holidaying in Rarotonga, featuring a tree house, sandpit, playground and trampoline on-site.

Check Casa Del Sol out:

Casa Del Sol on Booking.com

15. Arapati Holiday Homes

Arapati Holiday Homes manage the “Arapati” two-bedroom villa, which sits directly on the beach and fits up to six guests, while the “Henry Villa” sleeps a whopping 10! There’s plenty of space for groups to relax between the spacious living room, outdoor kitchen, elevated deck and the beach. Close to the property is Wigmore’s Superstore. Needless to say, self-catering here is a breeze.

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16. Muri Lagoon Beachfront (Cook Islands Holiday Villas)

Cook Islands Holiday Villas manages a range of private holiday rentals on Rarotonga, all of which stick to a standard of contemporary elegance. Muri Lagoon Beachfront Villa is their most popular offering sitting on the shores of Muri Beach with kayaks and SUP boards at the ready. Tuoro Holiday Villas is a collection of four holiday homes with access to a central swimming pool, while Turangi Lagoon Villas are two contemporary holiday homes with a shared pool.

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17. Nirvana Cottage

A cute wee holiday home ideal for couples or solo travellers, Nirvana Cottage offers an utterly private stay among its own gardens. The white coral sands of Vaimaanga are a short walk away, as is Wigmore’s Superstore should you want to make use of the bungalow’s well-equipped kitchen. There’s also a small verandah where you can relax under the shade during your stay on Rarotonga. See alternative yet idyllic stays for couples in the 20 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

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18. Betela Beach House

On the sunset coast of Rarotonga and nearby one of the top snorkelling spots, Aora Beach, Betela Beach House offers a funky yet affordable accommodation with a mezzanine bedroom. Enjoy a fruit basket on arrival and snorkelling gear included in your stay, while the stovetop, toaster, microwave and gas barbecue make self-catering a breeze. The location just off the beach is just the icing on top. See more accommodations close to snorkelling hotspots in the 10 Best Resorts for Snorkelling in the Cook Islands.

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19. Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio

For those seeking their own quiet space on Rarotonga at an affordable price, take a look at Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio. The two-bedroom holiday home in Avarua has a private garden setting leading all the way to the beach. Considering the price, it’s safe to say that the fixtures and furniture are rather basic but are functional enough for the non-fussy traveller. See similar stays in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in the Cook Islands.

Check Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio out:

Are Tamarini Beachfront Cottage & River Studio on Booking.com

20. Frederick and Ngamata’s Beach House

This small yet modern private bungalow sits on the tranquil shores of Matavera. Frederick and Ngamata’s Beach House is ideal for a couple of friends or family members travelling together thanks to its twin bed set-up. The layout is an open-plan studio with both indoor and outdoor lounging areas, a kitchen with a stovetop and a separate bathroom. Your holiday home instantly opens onto the sands with some of the best sunrises in Rarotonga.

Check Frederick and Ngamata’s Beach House out:

More Holiday Homes in the Cook Islands

Now that you have seen some of our top picks for holiday homes in the Cook Islands, see how they compare to similar styles of accommodation listed in the following articles:

Finally, if you haven’t yet found the perfect place to stay in the Cook Islands, go back to square one with Where to Stay in the Cook Islands: The Best Cook Islands Accommodations or The Top 50 Resorts in the Cook Islands.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page